Wasted

by Michaela Sawyer

They say heartbreak is the worst kind of pain, and losing your first love is the worst kind of heartbreak.

Taylor Coleman

Two years ago, I chose him over me. Just because I was stuck in this small town, living a small-town life, didn’t mean he had to be stuck, too. He had so much talent, and he was destined to do big things, but I knew he’d never leave without me. Not unless I made him. I knew it would break his heart, but it was the price I’d have to pay for his freedom.

Cole Montgomery

She was mine once, but then she married my brother. Now he’s gone, and I still haven’t gotten over my first love or my first heartbreak. She might just be the only person who can save me from myself, but I don’t know if I can forgive her. Until I realize nothing is what it seemed.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance

284 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2025

Reviews

[Judy Portelles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Melluvsbooks]

DNF @ 5% - hero is a drunk loser who has a baby with someone else… the someone else is a a nice woman who loved his brother… who the heroine (a bartender) is married to…. I was hoping for a different scenario. These aren’t the kind of characters I like.

[Cheyenne Galovits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out with some heavy doubts on rather I would like this or not fmc who married the brother, mmc with a kid who's also a drunk. Thats not typically my cup of tea and I went into this blind with no expectations pushing through for the sake of finishing. Then you find out Taylor never slept with cole's brother they only got married so she could get some money to save her farm, to take care of Caleb and his last wishes because he was terminally Ill with stomach cancer, and lastly her father only had 6 months at best left to live and she was taking care of him since thats all she had left for family. She didnt wanna stop Cole from going after his dream and she knew if she told him she couldnt go to nashville he wouldve stayed with her. Now onto Cole the child isnt biologically his it's Caleb's outside the one drunk night him and kylie never slept together just like caleb and Taylor never slept together. Even when he was trying to make taylor believe he was sleeping around he was on the balcony fully dressed. So in short it started out rough but I did end up genuinely really enjoying it.

[Kayla Bieker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wholesome and heartbreaking second chance romance. Taylor and Cole have been together for what seems like forever when it all changes and she chooses his brother over him. But all isn’t what it seems. It’s a roller coaster of emotions throughout this read. You can just feel the heartbreak rolling off the pages and how much Cole wants to hurt her for what she’s done. In the end they find their way back to each other I loved every minute of this if I didn’t need sleep I would’ve finished it easily in a day the spice is off the charts because of the chemistry these two have with each other but it’s not the entire plot of the story. If you love second chance childhood sweethearts. Small town country girl. Country boy turned Nashville singer you’ll absolutely love this one

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book has been on my TBR for a while and I kept putting it off. The blurb is what caught my attention, you don't see that storyline often. So I wanted to give it a try and I am glad I did.

Cole and Taylor have that love that is unmatched and written in the stars. But she wanted more for Cole than their small town and all he wanted was her. I really did love these two together! I thought that the story was engaging and kept you interested. Plus you never knew what bombshell was going to be dropped next in the story.

Even though some of the story was a little redundant, I still really liked it.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!!

This is Cole and Taylor's story.
This is a beautifully written emotional roller coaster journey, which has family, friendships, challenges, making choices, drama, angst, intrigue, heartbreak, loss, grief, humour, witty banter, anger, acceptance, romance, friends / lovers, survival, and unconditional love, which leads to an entertaining, heartfelt, unpredictable, tragic, and captivating addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Brittany Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good 😊

This book was different from what I normally read but it was great. Most of the books on my KU read list have been 10% plot 90% smut (which I love btw) but this one was the complete opposite and was still soooooo good. I loved the second chance small town romance of it. The characters were unique and the author did an amazing job of keeping it interesting and then wrapping it up with a nice bow. I definitely recommend.

[Jazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a really sweet story. Although any terrible that could happen to Taylor literally did happen. It annoyed me soo much when she sold her family's property that TWO generations were buried on, and just left her horses. WILD. Especially for someone who loved horses as much as she said she did. But once Cole stopped being a jerk it was a great story.

[Karen Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I love me some angsty second chance romace story.. this story did not dissapoint .. cried a couple times.. had me in my feelings.. i am glad i found this author because i really enjoy her writing and her stories def recomend this story if u want something angsty.
Tropes
Soulmates
Second chance
Lovers to Enemies to lovers
Singer
Small town

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tayor & Cole

Plenty of drama for Cole and Taylor's up and down, all around roller coaster relationship. Took them years to work things out and to realize they were each other's dream for future.

[nancis_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars

This was a great summer read. A story about childhood friends to lovers, lost love, family, trauma, second chances, and set in a small country town. What else could you ask for?
The narrators did an amazing job bringing the characters and story to life.

Happy Reading/Listening

[Reading With April · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

[Rosa Ascenso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love loved it. RA

This was a great love story..its a must read . she gave everything up to take care of loved one.

[Carla Aultman · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Was boring from start to 50% where I finally stopped reading.

[Sarah Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely to read

This book had me crying so hard I could not see the words for tears. It is a wonderful story about loving someone so much that you set the free.

[Briley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

This one hit all the marks! A sweet, slow and spicy second chance story with so much heart. I didn't want it to end.

Hoping to see Baileys story in the future

[Krista Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwww this was so cute!!!! Loved this!

[Selina Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance. Rockstar!! So good

[Krista Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually so cute!

[Sharnee Clothier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Yes

Such a good book. The storyline was fantastic. The heartbreak and anger turning onto love and acceptance. Would highly recommend

[Yollanda Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complicated

Family and feelings can break your heart. This was a great story. Had a bit of everything, Smalltown life, country music stars, bad boy, good girl. And redemption.